Cambridge International AS & A Level

* 6 9 9 1 3 0 0 7 5 7 *

INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY 9626/12

Paper 1 Theory February/March 2024

1 hour 45 minutes

You must answer on the question paper.

No additional materials are needed.

INSTRUCTIONS
● Answer all questions.
● Use a black or dark blue pen.
● Write your name, centre number and candidate number in the boxes at the top of the page.
● Write your answer to each question in the space provided.
● Do not use an erasable pen or correction fluid.
● Do not write on any bar codes.
● You may use an HB pencil for any diagrams, graphs or rough working.
● Calculators must not be used in this paper.

INFORMATION
● The total mark for this paper is 70.
● The number of marks for each question or part question is shown in brackets [ ].

This document has 12 pages.

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1 Spreadsheet software can be used for computer modelling.

Describe the characteristics that make spreadsheet software suitable for computer modelling.

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2 A data dictionary is required when creating a relational database.

Identify and describe four components that should be included in a data dictionary.

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3 Keith wishes to ensure that his computer is at its optimum performance.

Identify and describe three different types of utility software he should use.

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4 An airline company uses online processing to allow passengers to book their seats.

(a) Describe how online processing is used in this scenario.

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(b) Describe two benefits for passengers of using online processing when booking seats.

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5 An apartment has a controlled central heating system. This system includes a microprocessor.

Explain how the temperature in the apartment is controlled by the system.

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6 Some computer systems have a command line interface (CLI).

Evaluate the use of a CLI.

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7 The IT manager of RockICT can purchase either off-the-shelf software or custom written software.

(a) Describe three advantages for RockICT of purchasing off-the-shelf software.

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(b) Describe three advantages for RockICT of purchasing custom written software.

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8 A secretary of a company has been asked to transfer all the staff records from the current
paper-based system to a computer database. The secretary will use validation and verification to
check the data.

Explain why both validation and verification are needed in this scenario.

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9 Encryption can be used to protect data sent in an email.

Evaluate the use of encryption for this purpose.

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10 Sound editing software can be used to alter the sampling rate in audio files.

(a) Explain what is meant by the term sampling rate.

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(b) Explain how the sampling rate can affect the audio files.

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11 Explain what is meant by the term open-source file format.

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12 A digital divide exists between the more technologically aware and the less technologically aware
nations.

Analyse this type of digital divide.

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Permission to reproduce items where third-party owned material protected by copyright is included has been sought and cleared where possible. Every
reasonable effort has been made by the publisher (UCLES) to trace copyright holders, but if any items requiring clearance have unwittingly been included, the
publisher will be pleased to make amends at the earliest possible opportunity.

To avoid the issue of disclosure of answer-related information to candidates, all copyright acknowledgements are reproduced online in the Cambridge
Assessment International Education Copyright Acknowledgements Booklet. This is produced for each series of examinations and is freely available to download
at www.cambridgeinternational.org after the live examination series.

Cambridge Assessment International Education is part of Cambridge Assessment. Cambridge Assessment is the brand name of the University of Cambridge
Local Examinations Syndicate (UCLES), which is a department of the University of Cambridge.

© UCLES 2024 9626/12/F/M/24